An Indian migrant bus driver, Manmeet Alisher was deliberately burnt to death behind the wheels of a Brisbane bus after a passenger threw an incendiary device. The 29-year-old Manmeet was a prominent figure in the Punjabi Community in Australia as a known singer and showbiz promoter.
Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart has said there is nothing to suggest the attack was racially motivated.
A 48-year-old man was arrested at the scene. The alleged attacker was waiting on a Moorooka footpath, climbed onto Maneet’s bus at around 9am and hurled an incendiary device at him. The arrested man is cooperating with the detective and is treated at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane.
The Police said that they want to reassure the community these incidents are taken very seriously and as a precaution, officers from the State Security and Counter Terrorism Group have been involved in the investigation.
Six passengers on the bus were taken to hospital suffering smoke inhalation and minor injuries. A taxi driver, Aguek Nyok is credited with saving the passengers. Nyok began kicking frantically at a back door when he heard people screaming to get out.
Veteran police Superintendent Jim Keogh says the attack appears random and without motive.
“The fire was substantial, he (the driver) would have stood little chance,” he said.
Manmeet came to Australia around nine years back and began his life here as a taxi driver. Manmeet Alisher was planning to return to India to get engaged and start a family. Friends describe Mr Alisher as a soft spoken and courteous man . He recently performed at Diwali, the annual Hindu festival of lights, in Adelaide and also recited poetry.
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News Update 29th October 2016
Anthony Mark Edward O’Donohue, 48, appeared briefly in the Brisbane Magistrates Court this morning charged with murder, arson and 11 counts of attempted murder in relation to the attack.
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